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Remington model 8/81 35 Rem

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 10:09 pm
by dhenzler
I've been looking for a decent barrel for my 35Rem. I have just about given up trying to find one. Have contacted a couple gunsmiths and am romancing the idea of having a NEW barrel made for the old boy. Prices vary considerably among the gunsmiths willing to take it on. I was talking to Douglas Barrels, but their gunsmith is either on an extended vacation or died... no answer for a while now. Would like to keep the cost of a shiny new barrel (blued of course) under $300. But it may go over a bit.

anyone with knowledge of someone already having this done... please speak up

Contact me for details as it progresses...

Dave 252 648-0231

Re: Remington model 8/81 35 Rem

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 4:20 pm
by curdog
The best way for you to proceed here is to find another rifle with a good barrel, and either shoot it or use it for a donor gun.

Sadly, buying a barrel blank and paying someone to fit it at the original equipment quality level for $300 is just not going to happen. Unless you find someone to do it who does not value his time at all. Then you will get what you pay for.

I run a small one man machine shop, and I would estimate the labor cost to be around $600 dollars. The customer would supply the chamber reamer and the barrel blank. I am very familiar with the work required, but do not do this work because people are unwilling to pay the hourly rate it takes for me to run my business and not go broke. This would be a one off job for most shops, so it will naturally cost more. Guns are no different than any other job. It costs just as much to perform $500 of work on a $200 item, as it does to perform it on a $20,000 item. Just ask your car mechanic. And they all charge more than I do.

Re: Remington model 8/81 35 Rem

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 9:10 pm
by dhenzler
I finally gave up on making a barrel. Figured I'd spend a small fortune. I got a barrel on GB for $125 which is perfect for my needs. I believe it has a lot of shooting left in it. And is way better than my black hole barrel... Light goes in.... none comes out!

Was easy enough to install. Put a bit of lithium grease on the barrel where the springs ride. Should last longer than I'll be around. My mag is a bit dinged up, maybe find a better one some time. In the mean time. Deer season, and the possibility my 100 year old 35 will take yet another one down.

Regards to all

Dave

Re: Remington model 8/81 35 Rem

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:12 pm
by 81police
good to hear Dave!